Oba Esigie, the King of the Benin Kingdom from 1504 to 1550, made history as the first recorded Nigerian to speak a foreign language. He was said to have mastered Portuguese at a time when few Africans had direct access to European languages or education.

Who Was Oba Esigie?

He was the 16th Oba who ruled the medieval Benin Kingdom, now Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Esigie, originally known as Osawe, was the son of Oba Ozolua and his second wife, Queen Idia. He reigned in the late 15th century, and when he passed on to join his ancestors, the Kingdom was left with two contenders to the throne.

ALSO READ: Meet the 1st and only colonial female king in Nigeria – She’s Igbo

Arhuaran, the first son of the first wife and Esigie, the son of Idia, who was the second wife. According to tradition, the first son should be the Oba, but since birth, Idia nurtured Esigie to be next in line to the throne, even though in that era, it was almost impossible.

Arhuaran was a bright and logical child, and at a young age, he was sent to Portugal to receive training and learn more about the ways of the white men, while Esigie stayed at home holding tight to wisdom and learnings from his mother. When Arhuaran came back from Portugal, people in the palace could barely recognise him, meanwhile, Esigie had grown to be a master of his father’s court.

His speciality in magic, portions and also his relationship with the royal guards and the Oba’s army had made him a familiar face to the throne. With the help of Idia, who mobilised an army around Esigie, he defeated Arhuaran, and became the 16th Oba of Benin. Arhuaran would go on to rule Udo, about 20 miles away from Benin.

His Reign

Oba Esigie reigned over the Kingdom of Benin, but the contact between the Kingdom of Benin and the Portuguese began before Esigie’s reign. In 1486, during the reign of Oba Ozolua (Esigie’s predecessor and father), Portuguese missionaries and traders had already established connections with Benin. However, it was under Esigie that these relations blossomed into formal diplomatic ties, educational initiatives, and sustained trade.

The kingdom of Benin was one of Africa’s wealthiest and most organised civilisations. It was famous for its brilliant artistry, especially in brass, ivory, and wood carving. European visitors were often stunned by the sophistication of Benin’s city structure and the quality of its crafts, to the extent that some wrongly assumed Africans could not have produced such masterpieces.

Esigie not only welcomed Portuguese ambassadors and missionaries but also personally embraced their culture and language. According to missionary accounts like that of Duarte Pires in 1516, Oba Esigie could speak and read Portuguese fluently. He even had a deep interest in astrology and astronomy, areas of study brought by the Europeans.

---

Join Our WhatsApp Group

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

---

ALSO READ: Meet one of the longest serving kings in Nigeria who has ruled for over 6 decades

The European connection with the kingdom became stronger during his reign, as Portuguese missionary activities were encouraged in the kingdom. Oba Esigie founded a school in Benin City, Edo, dedicated to teaching the reading and writing of Portuguese. This move was revolutionary, setting the foundation for literacy and international diplomacy within the kingdom. He also created a school following astrology (Iwoki).

During Esigie’s reign, the Portuguese described Benin City as a thriving metropolis surrounded by a nine-mile-long defensive wall. As several historians have pointed out, this description reveals that Benin was a wealthy trading centre, but its great wall suggests that it had many enemies and was plagued by unrest and instability.

Oba Esigie’s Other Achievements

Oba Esigie’s legacy goes far beyond his multilingualism. His reign saw significant achievements:

• Diplomatic Leadership: In 1540, he sent an ambassador to Portugal, a major diplomatic milestone that reinforced Benin’s independence while maintaining a strong trading relationship with Europe.

• Trade Expansion: He expanded trade with Europeans, particularly in goods and, sadly, in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, which was a growing economic force in West Africa at the time.

• Military Success: Esigie successfully fought and defeated his brother Arhuanran, a towering figure and ruler of Udo town, during the Benin-Udo war. This victory solidified his control over the kingdom.

• Cultural Innovation: He instituted the title of Iyoba (Queen Mother) for the first time in Benin’s history, honouring his mother, Idia, who played a pivotal role in his military and political strategies. He also built a palace for her, known as Eguae-Iyoba in Uselu.

Oba Esigie also implemented several administrative reforms, including the creation of a centralised government and a new system of taxation. He also reformed the Benin army, introducing new military tactics and weapons, such as firearms, which were acquired through trade with European nations.

Oba Esigie’s ability to navigate between cultures without losing his kingdom’s sovereignty is a lesson in leadership, adaptability, and vision. By learning Portuguese and encouraging education, he opened the doors of Benin to the world, and today, he remains a symbol of Nigeria’s rich, multifaceted history and a reminder that African civilisations have long been centres of innovation, diplomacy, and learning.

ALSO READ: Meet the world’s youngest king at age 2 – He’s a Nigerian

In a significant stride towards youth empowerment and grassroots sports development, KingMakers, in partnership with the Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, officially commissioned the KingMakers Ifako Ijaiye Sports Complex—a major Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project designed to benefit over 200,000 residents within and beyond the Ifako Ijaiye community.

The KingMakers Ifako Ijaiye Sports Complex is a thoughtfully designed facility featuring a 150-capacity sports arena for grassroots tournaments, a standard football pitch with lighting for evening use, a green relaxation area, modern male and female restrooms, two administrative office spaces, a generator house for uninterrupted operations, ample parking space, and robust water infrastructure—including two large water tanks, a water treatment system, and a security house—all built with sustainability and long-term community benefit in mind.

In his remarks during the commissioning, Gossy Ukanwoke, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of KingMakers (BetKing), stated:

This project embodies our core belief that sports is more than just competition—it is a vehicle for social transformation, unity, and empowerment. At KingMakers, we are intentional about investing in initiatives that have long-term impact, and the Ifako Ijaiye Sports Complex is one such example of our commitment to supporting the communities we operate in. We are proud to work alongside visionary partners like the Ifako Ijaiye Local Government to deliver infrastructure that inspires young people, promotes physical wellness, and provides a pathway to excellence.

In addition to the new facility, KingMakers has been an active contributor to Nigeria’s sports ecosystem. The company recently concluded the BetKing Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Abeokuta. BetKing is also the title sponsor of Ikorodu City Football Club, and an active donor to the Kids Sports Charity Initiative, which equips young athletes with gear, training, and mentorship.

See short VIDEO from the launch…

#FeaturedPost

Let’s face the fact – not every morning starts with an energy rush and a desire to get straight to work. Some days come with tiredness, stress, and anxious thoughts.

On such days, you’ll feel like life’s a juggling ball that keeps dropping. But well, it doesn’t mean you can’t build momentum. After all, your daily tasks still await you, irrespective of how you feel.

The sooner you snap out of your bad mood, the better for you. Here, I’ve reviewed six morning habits that can help jumpstart your day and get you ready to be productive.

Let’s dive right in.

ALSO READ: Morning skincare routine for acne-prone skin – 3 simple steps

1. Wake Up With Intention, Not Alarm Panic

Instead of jumping out of bed in a panic because your alarm is screaming, wake up intentionally. You can achieve this by setting your alarm 10 to 15 minutes earlier. It gives you enough time to breathe, stretch, pray, or simply enjoy the quiet before the world gets loud.

Experts often say that starting calmly can prime your mind for a more focused and less stressful day.

2. Hydrate Before You Caffeinate

Your body gets dehydrated overnight.

We know you’re longing to grab a cup of coffee, but first, grab some water. Drink a full glass of water to help your system readjust to the day. Most people squeeze a lime into their early morning water to make it more flavourful.

---

Join Our WhatsApp Group

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

---

Remember you’re doing this because of water’s ability to jumpstart your metabolism, flush out toxins, and literally wake up your cells.

3. Move Your Body (Even If It’s Just 5 Minutes)

You don’t have to run 10 kilometres or hit the gym at 5 AM. A simple stretch session, a few yoga poses, or a quick dance party in your living room is enough to get your blood flowing and boost your energy levels. Apart from keeping your feet, moving releases endorphins, which is your body’s feel-good hormone.

4. Practice a Mindful Moment

Instead of diving straight into emails or social media, take a few minutes for mindfulness. During this time, you can do anything from breathing to journaling, or even a short meditation. Whatever it is, just be sure to invest your emotions and thoughts into it.

Mindfulness helps ground you and build emotional resilience against the chaos of the day.

5. Fuel Up With the Right Breakfast

Skip the sugar-loaded cereals and heavy, greasy foods for breakfast. Instead, choose energy-boosting options like Oats, Fruits, Eggs, and Smoothies.

ALSO READ: Say Goodbye To Acne With These Face Washes Under ₦20,000

Experts suggest that a balanced breakfast stabilises your blood sugar and keeps your energy steady, with no mid-morning crashes.

6. Set Your Top 3 Priorities for the Day

Before your day spirals into meetings, errands, and WhatsApp group messages, write down the top three things you want to achieve. It doesn’t have to be complicated or too many. Just three simple goals can help you clear your priorities and avoid distractions.